The Marshfield Music Department paid homage to some of the greats of the jazz era in their 12th Annual Evening of Jazz. And what an evening it was!
The festivities started at with the Furnace Brook Jazz Ensemble, Marshfield’s Middle School group, directed by Mr. Scott Brenner. This 25 plus member ensemble dazzled the crowd with five numbers, all good, but this percussion lover was enamored with “Soul Man” their second tune. Their last performance featured a “Dixie Land Quartet” and was also great fun. The Furnace Brook Jazz Ensemble walked off to well deserved standing ovation.
Next up was the High School Jazz Ensemble II, directed by Mr. David Kaminski, and their opening piece, Woodchopper’s Ball, had my 80 year old mother dancing in her seat! She whispered to me at one point, “They sound just like the original.” And they truly did! Their third tune, a Duke Ellington piece, featured a fabulous piano solo and their final number, “Feather Report” featured Chris McPhee playing a “kickin” guitar as well as a huge performance from their left handed drummer!
The high school Jazz Ensemble I, also directed by Mr. Kaminski, is the high school’s premier jazz group and it showed in every aspect of their performance. Each student is so talented and so invested in what they do that the ending result is a “Huge” sound coming out of this young and slightly smaller group. From their first tune “Shiny Stockings” that came roaring at us to their last tune “Rocking’ In Rhythm” you’d be hard pressed to find anyone in the audience sitting still in their seat. A highlight for this audience member was “Manteca” a Latin Jazz tune that had me feeling like I was in Cuba dancing the night away. “Manteca” had some great solos including the Stillwell brothers and James Renton but how about that drummer, Dan Joyce, keeping that Latin beat going throughout. You have to love that percussion.
After a short intermission, the Marshfield Music Faculty Jazz Ensemble took the stage with special guest Marshall Wood on bass. The thing that stands out every year with this group is not just the talent (although it’s there in a huge way!) but it’s so obvious that they love what they’re doing. And what a treat for the students to see their teachers putting it out there for all to see. Highlights were many but to be noted, my mom had tears in her eyes with Kara Reinshagen’s rendition of “Someone to Watch Over Me.” And who doesn’t love the Bobby Gallegos – Jim Thomas battle of the brass, always a treat. New this year of course was our brand new director, Mr. David Kaminski on the Sax. He sounded fabulous and looked like he was having a ball up there! Welcome to Jazz at Marshfield High School, David!
Congratulations to everyone who participated and thank you once again for showing us that Jazz is alive and well and playing at your local schools in Marshfield, Massachusetts.